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Merseytravel supports 2 key rail stations
A team of
youngsters from Stanley High School in Fleetwood Road, Southport is
set to compete against more than 250 other teams from across the
country in the 2008 Fieldfare Kielder Challenge.
The Challenge is an outdoor adventure competition for teams of eight
13 to 16 year olds aimed at integrating those with and without
disabilities. It is organised by the Fieldfare Trust, a leading UK
outdoor access charity.
The first stage of the competition sees the Stanley High School team
take part in the Challenge Gateway, a series of team building and
problem solving games within their school. Optional support from
trained volunteers is available if required to help run the games.
Following Challenge Gateway activities the teams hope to secure a
place in a regional heat at a local country park in April or May
which will involve similar games but will see five teams come
together and compete against each other and against the clock.
Project Manager for the Fieldfare Trust, Andy Johnson, said:-
“Once again we’ve received a high level of entries for the Challenge
and are already busy co-ordinating activities.
By expanding the Challenge Gateway stage this year we’re enabling
even more youngsters to enter the Challenge and benefit from
inclusion with their peers in a team competition.”
At the regional heats, points are awarded for teamwork and
performance with the top scoring teams from each region winning a
place in the 2008 Fieldfare Kielder Challenge Grand Final. The final
will take place in September and again will see the teams compete
against each other in a series of outdoor games but this time on a
much bigger scale - in Kielder Forest and on Kielder Water in
Northumberland.
Further information and details of how to enter the Fieldfare
Kielder Challenge log on to
fieldfare.org.uk/kielder-challenge.htm
or call 0115 948 6926.
$100 a barrel oil brings £1.50 a litre closer
OUR friends at
Petrolprices.com on 20 February 2008 where shocked to see oil prices
reaching above $100 a barrel for the first time ever! This according
to Petrolprices.com is now compounding fears that petrol prices are
set to rise exponentially against the backdrop of a slowing world
economy, tense oil markets and predicted falling oil production.
Figures from PetrolPrices.com show that the price of unleaded has
shot up 18.3p per litre in 2007. At the beginning of February 2007 a
litre of unleaded cost 86p. At the time of writing, both unleaded
and diesel were hovering just below the record highs set earlier
this year (2008). In many areas unleaded is now 104.3p per litre and
diesel is 109.5p!
"When oil prices passed the $100 a barrel in January 2008, the
national averages for unleaded and diesel shot up to 104.7p per
litre and 110.5p respectively.
We monitor the relationship between oil prices and petrol prices
very closely and this is exactly the type of increase that spells
disaster for motorists. The most worrying thing is that last time
oil hit $100 barrel it was artificially inflated by a rogue trader
wanting to claim his place in history as the first to buy oil at
such a landmark price. This time, the price jumped as a result of
speculation over conflict in Nigeria, a refinery explosion in Texas,
market traders using commodities as a way to protect against the
weak dollar and fears that Opec will cut production because oil
reserves are drying up.!
If these conditions continue, we will hit £1.50 a litre this year.
Alistair Darling is planning two further 2p fuel duty increases by
October this year, and with such worldwide economic instability oil
prices are likely to rise in the future. $100 a barrel is a
significant figure — since unleaded hit £1 a litre it has continued
to rise. The same will happen now oil has reached the equivalent
psychological barrier. This makes it more important than ever to use
PetrolPrices.com to get the best fuel price possible." said
Brendan McLoughlin - Managing Director - PetrolPrices.com. |
Merseyside Apprentices get involved in Capital of Culture
AS Liverpool
celebrates the start of its reign as European Capital of Culture
2008, 140 young learners across Merseyside are enjoying a range of
creative, skills-based activities as part of the Learning and Skills
Council’s (LSC) new Capital of Culture Badged Apprenticeship
Programme.
During a year of firsts for the LSC in Merseyside, the new Capital
of Culture programme is being launched this week as part of the
first ever Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates the success
thousands of young apprentices across the region.
As part of the exciting new programme, the LSC has added an
innovative dimension to a number of its Apprenticeships, allowing
Merseyside learners to further develop their skills, whilst at the
same time participating in this year’s Capital of Culture.
The programme, run by Greater Merseyside Learning Providers
Federation (GMLPF) and training provider General Physics, enhances
the LSC’s Apprenticeships in Retail, Tourism and Hospitality, and
Leisure, making 2008 a memorable year for learners.
Joanne Rymer, Project Manager at GMLPF told the media that:-
“The Capital of Culture Badged Apprenticeship Programme is for young
people aged 16 to 24. It adds value to the current Apprenticeship
programme, particularly within the key related sectors.
Apprentices will have access to an enhanced menu of themed learning
experiences and activities, from producing an hour long show of
Liverpool’s music with Radio Merseyside, to learning about film and
actually creating an animation with St. George’s Hall. All the
activities will relate to the European Capital of Culture, and will
allow learners to get involved in what promises to be an
unforgettable year for Merseyside.
The programme will culminate with a number of showcase events later
in the year and individuals who have taken part will receive a
Liverpool Capital of Culture certificate in addition to their main
Apprenticeship framework.”
Liverpool Culture Company, the organisation set up to deliver
Liverpool’s cultural programme in 2008 and beyond has played major a
part in launching the new Apprenticeship programme and their
Learning and Skills Manager, Mary Beaumont commented that:-
"For anyone interested in pursuing a career in retail, tourism and
hospitality, and leisure this scheme presents a wonderful
opportunity to gain valuable industry experience through the
Apprenticeship programme, whilst at the same time becoming involved
in cultural activities.
Liverpool Culture Company is delighted to be involved in this
programme. It allows participants an opportunity to become engaged
in a whole range of cultural experiences currently on offer as part
of our Capital of Culture year.”
Karon Brownbill, Economic Development Director at the LSC in
Merseyside adds:- “This programme has been developed with the
intention of delivering a high quality and unique experience for a
number of apprentices and their employers.
It is about
giving the young people who participate in the programme a real
sense of engaging with the full ‘culture’ experience during the
whole of 2008.
The programme is a once in a lifetime opportunity, Capital of
Culture status is not likely to come to the UK again in the
foreseeable future, and this programme is designed with this in
mind, marking the LSC’s commitment and participation in the year.
This unique
opportunity will also bring sustainable outcomes in terms of the
confidence that the young people involved will gain and in the
skills they will learn.”
If you would like to know more about the Capital of Culture Badged
Apprenticeship programme, call Joanne Rymer at GMLPF on 0151 707
8775.
For general
information on Apprenticeships call 08000 150 600 or visit
www.apprenticeships.org.uk. |
